Ivy's Twisted Vine Redux

by Latrivia S. Nelson

  “What do you perceive about the way that I feel about you?” Nicola asked looking at her long slim hand in his own.

  “I believe that you will help me be strong and focus on my duties as a mother to your children and soon as a wife to Grey.” She looked away. “Neither job will be easy if we don’t have an understanding.”

  “I know,” Nicola said wishing that she would just let him in. “I’ll do my part. I promise. I’ll support you and Grey as much as possible as long as you give me my boys.”

  “How could I ever take them away?” She looked back at him. “They are yours for the rest of your life. Last names and all.”

  “Speaking of which, what are you going to name them?”

  “Well, I can’t give you a namesake,” she said trying to explain.

  “Oh, I know.” He smiled at her. “Calm down.” He could see the immediate urgency in her eyes.

  “But I do want to name them something that is significant for both of us.”

  “We could name them after our fathers,” Nicola said looking back over at the children.

  “Would you like that?”

  “I really would.”

  “What’s your father’s name?”

  “Adamo. That’s Italian for Adam.”

  “Ovviamente.” Ivy said rolling her eyes. “I’m not that slow.”

  “Ovviamente?” Nicola said laughing at her correct translation of “of course” in Italian.

  “My father would love one of them to be named after him. Plus, it’s neutral territory.” She looked over at the children. “When do they start to cry a lot?”

  “I don’t know.” He walked over to the children. “So Adamo and Madison Agosto, it is. Which one will receive which name?”

  “Adam has blue eyes and Madison has green eyes.” Ivy motioned to him. “Bring me one of them. I want to feel them in my arms.”

  Picking up Madison, Nicola walked over and gently laid the baby in her arms. “Here you go,” he said going back to pick up Adamo. “They are so…gorgeous.”

  “And you are so vain,” Ivy said kissing the baby on the head. “Oh. Oh, look at you.” She cooed at the baby. “But you’re right. They are gorgeous.” She rocked the baby. “Madison’s middle name will be Ivory, and Adamo’s middle name will be…Michael.” She looked over at Nicola approvingly.

  “I couldn’t ask for much more,” Nicola said kissing his son’s forehead.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight: Paternity

  Chapter 28

  PATERNITY

  “Hey, Ma. I’m a father,” Nicola said lying in his bed for the first time in more than twenty-four hours. He relished in its softness and kicked off his gym shoes. His body ached in places he wasn’t sure that it should and his head pounded, but he was exceedingly happy.

  “What?” Mrs. Agosto sat up in the bed and turned on her lamp. “Did I hear you right? They are actually yours?”

  “Yep. I just got the results from the doctor.” His mouth was sore from smiling, but he could no longer contain himself. “Yesterday afternoon, July 5th at 4:23 pm. Two huge boys. Madison and Adamo.”

  “Oh, Adamo, wake up!” Liz commanded nudging her husband who was lying in a peaceful slumber. “Nicola’s a father. The children are ours!”

  Nicola chuckled under his breath at his mother’s joy. “Well, I just wanted to call and let you guys know. I know it’s late.” He yawned. “And I’m really tired. I’ve got to be up in about three hours.” He took off his watch and placed it carefully on his nightstand.

  “Hold on. Your father wants to speak with you,” she said handing Adamo the phone.

  “Hi, pop,” Nicola said yawning again. His mother was so dramatic. He just wanted to go to bed.

  “Hey,” Adamo said wiping his tired eyes. “Calm down, Liz. I can’t hear him.”

  “Mom is trying to tell you that I’m a father. I just wanted to call and let you know.”

  “Well, that is good news, right?” His father smiled. He finally had grandchildren. Grandsons! “This is what you wanted, yes?”

  “Yeah, it is. It was obvious when we first saw them, but we had a blood test a couple of hours ago to confirm it. They’re beautiful, too. I can’t wait for you to see them. Two new Agosto men.” The invitation had been officially given.

  “Your brother and I are closing on an important deal. But as soon as I’m finished here, we’ll be there.”

  “Great. I’ll make the arrangements,” Nicola said pulling off his pants.

  “Tell him to send me pictures,” Liz said giggling. “Tell mom, I will. Bye.” Hanging up the phone, he looked at the pictures he had taken of his brand new sons and closed his eyes. He wanted to burn their images in the back of his head and leave them there for all eternity.

  ***

  On the other side of town in a less festive mood, Grey lit his cigar and took a long drag, before nestling down in his chair and sipping his brandy slowly while he watched his father pace around the dark moonlit study screaming on his cell phone. Normally, such a sight would have caused him to show some type of concern, but now it only made him laugh. He snickered under his breath watching the old man occasionally look over at him and clench his jaws. Taking another long drag, he made small smoke circles in the air. Nothing mattered anymore. The media had gotten wind of the entire incident and had reportedly already made breaking news about the young man’s unfaithful fiancée and her new little twins that lay quietly in the hospital resting.

  “You put a lid on this shit,” Mr. Henderson said finally closing his phone and hurling down in the couch. He looked at his son awkwardly for a moment, unsure if he should speak on the current matters or not. Grey did look like he was close to a nervous breakdown.

  “You should just calm down,” Grey said gulping down the last of his spirits. “It’s not you that they are after.”

  “Then who is it?” Mr. Henderson said handing Grey an ashtray.

  “Me.” He was drunk and unconcerned. “We could just use this opportunity to voice our opinion on our pro life concept.” His eyes rolled. “Join with the fucking...” Hiccup. “…anti-abortion fanatics on this one and make a killing.” Hiccup. “Shit. We are so close to making it official that I’m running for Uncle Ted’s seat in the House of Representatives. We might as well begin with the bullshit lies and cover-ups, right?” Words slurred. “That’s all a sensible man can do in a situation like this.” He looked at his father under his heavy eyes.

  “Go to sleep, boy. You’re a mess,” Mr. Henderson said sympathetically. However, Grey had a point. Even now, he could count on his devoted son to think of a way to cover his tracks and protect the family name. He felt terribly for the young man and his love for a compromised woman, but at least he was levelheaded enough not to make such a big deal about it out in the streets. He preferred for him to come home and deal with his problems away from the public eye.

  To Mayor Henderson, Grey’s only flaw was his fetish for women, which often led him to the den of the Black Tie. However, most of the influential men of Memphis where regularly seen there and to report on such a touchy subject by any media figure would surely be frowned upon in very important circles.

  Passing Grey a pillow, he took the cigar out of his hand and picked up the crystal glass from the floor. The smell of alcohol lingered on his breath and the stains of tears covered his collar. Helping him to his feet, he led him to the leather brown couch, where Grey laid down and finally rested for the first time in many hours.

  “Stay in here. I don’t want your mother to see you like this,” Mayor Henderson said pulling Grey’s shoes off his tired feet. “In the morning, we’ll figure something out.” He gazed at his son one last time before leaving him to sleep. “I love you, boy,” he whispered quietly as he turned off the lights.

  ***

  Ivy sat quietly observing her father across the hospital room humming a little tune to his grandsons while he cradled them. Her mother brushed her hair softly and oiled her scalp. And Emerald and Trina c
uddled on the couch and watched television beside them. It was a wonderful sight for Ivy to behold. Her entire family was coming closer together, all because of her children. Her entire pregnancy, she had felt as though she was being punished as well as punishing the ones that she loved. It was only after the birth of children that she realized that her worries and fears had been in vain.

  It may have been her hormones raging or the simply the thought of would could have been that made Ivy cry, but she let the tears flow down her cheeks freely. Her heart was starting to mend from the broken state of a turbulent pregnancy. She could feel the warm trickles burn her cheeks, but she didn’t bother to wipe them.

  Her thoughts went to Grey and where he could be at that very moment. His pain was too great to stay. And for this, she could sincerely sympathize. He left only a few minutes after she had the children and had not returned. More than anything, she prayed that he had not retreated to yet another woman’s arms. She hoped that his promise to stay with her had been true and that his fidelity would not be tested again. Then, without effort, her thoughts went to Nicola. She exhaled at the thought of him. She knew that he was home, tired and resting. He had only recently left her side. Even though it had to be uncomfortable for him, he had stayed and marveled over his children. He had made everyone accept early that he had a place in their lives regardless of how inconvenient it was.

  Her mother passed her a napkin and pulled her out of her deep thoughts. Gratefully, she wiped her eyes

  “They are absolutely perfect,” Madison said without looking up from the children. “Are you happy?”

  “Extremely,” Ivy said putting her napkin away.

  “Is that why you’re crying?” Madison carried the small wonders to their basinets.

  “I think so. I’m grateful…if not happy.”

  “You know, I think that you’re more than capable of making your own decisions, but I have to say that this must change things for you in some way.” He put the children down carefully and turned to her with tired eyes.

  “Now might not be the time, Madison,” Sadie said interrupting protectively.

  “It’s okay.” Ivy put her hand over her mothers. “What are you saying, Madison?”

  Madison went to her side and looked at Sadie for support. Where were the proper words when you needed them? He leaned against the rail and yawned trying to find the energy to continue.

  “I’m an old man by your standards, but I am a grown man by the world’s. And I’ve seen a lot of things in my lifetime. I know that you’ve been torn since the day that you found out about these children, if not earlier. All I want you to do is really use this time to decide if you really want to be Grey. No one here would feel love lost if you didn’t want to be, especially now that you know that these boys don’t belong to him. Now, that you see…how he deals with pressure.”

  “Madison,” Sadie warned.

  “No…now Sadie. Where is the boy? He ran out of here like he had hot coals in his ass yesterday. And he hasn’t been back. Hell, he knew that there was a possibility of them not being his a long time ago. He should have stayed by her side during this.”

  “Well, try to understand his side too,” Ivy said feeling the need to take up for Grey.

  “His side of what? This is one of the most important times of your life, and you know who was here? Nicola.” Emerald rested his case.

  “Nicola would have left the same way if those children were not his,” Sadie said feeling as though Ivy could not carry the conversation on her own.

  “Yes, this is true. But who is she engaged to?” Emerald took Ivy’s hand. “Use this time to think about it, Little Sis. That is all that I ask.”

  “Okay,” Ivy said giving in to his pleas. “I will.” I already am, she thought to herself.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine: Maternity

  Chapter 29

  MATERNITY

  For Ivy since the twins were born, it seemed that the world had begun to rotate backwards on its axis. Nearly four weeks had passed and dramatic life changes had taken place leaving her wondering where this new world of baby diapers, late night crying, babysitting and life juggling would take her.

  In just two weeks she would be marrying Mrs. Henderson. She was already back at work full-time at the firm. With a great deal of frustration to work through, she spent several hours a night at the gym, which had caused her to quickly get back to her old size.

  However, something else was happening to Ivy. Something more spiritual than physical. The world was beginning to have new meaning. Suddenly, Grey’s priorities were not so important. His quest to become the state’s next congressman was no more significant than her firm’s next client. Madison and Adamo where now most important. And her needs seemed to be more pertinent and her feelings more sensitive. She was a wreck, but slowly she felt herself gaining a new control over her life.

  Coming out of her daze, Ivy sat on the long black leather couch looking across at her therapist who scribbled notes in a notepad. Madison had suggested that she see a shrink after the realization that she had given birth to Nicola’s children and still planned to marry Grey. He thought that she needed professional help on the matter, protesting that such a thing was not normal and needed to be further analyzed before she moved foreword. For once, she thought he was crazy and blew the entire notion off all together until her mother had agreed with him. This was a first! They both thought that she was crazy. Okay. Maybe she did need to see someone? And so Grey had his good friend Mattock refer her to his fiancée, Dana McMillan, a well-respected psychologist who focused on women’s studies.

  Ivy’s lunch hour was nearly up, and the entire session had been centered on her irritation with Grey. He had gone to great extremes to avoid a sexual relationship through the pregnancy but wanted so much to ravage her now. As more and more weight dropped off, his passion increased, but she kept him away with the excuse of waiting on her six-week check-up. The truth was that for some reason, she partially resented him. He didn’t want her when she needed him most. Why should she give him what he wanted now, when she barely needed him at all?

  “Well, we’re done for today, Ivy,” Dr. Dana said crossing her legs and giving a leisurely smile. “I want you to focus on telling Grey how you really feel this week. Try not to focus on his feelings but on your own.”

  “Easier said than done, doc.” Ivy stood up and grabbed her purse.

  “I realize for you, Ivy, it is hard. But if you don’t begin to put your needs first now…you never will.” She stood up and handed Ivy a small book. “This is for you. It’s a great little read by Dr. Normandy Pierce called Putting Yourself First. I think it’s perfect for you.”

  “Thanks,” Ivy said glancing down at the small blue book. “Should I have read it before I return?”

  “As much as you can. We’ll talk about how it relates to the problems you’re having when we meet again next week. And Ivy for what it’s worth, I think we’ve made excellent progress.”

  Ivy smiled at the prospect. Was she really doing better? “Thanks again,” she said placing the little book in her purse. “Until next week.”

  ***

  Nicola walked the Wolfchase mall quietly in his Gap Jeans and comfy white t-shirt. His curly tendrils where hidden under an Italian Flag baseball cap and he sported a dark pair of shades covering his tired, red eyes. Madison and Adamo had cried all night and now they napped in their double seat stroller, while their exhausted father pushed them along gazing through the windows and occasionally yawning.

  “What did I come in here to buy?” Nicola asked himself aloud. Then, it hit him. He needed to get them new jackets. It was September again and soon fall would set in and the temperature would change. His mother had warned of colds during their first year, and he knew how unseasonably cold last fall had been. Plus, Ivy didn’t breastfeed. So they were missing out on great antibodies that she carried naturally. It was weird to say aloud, but inwardly he knew that he had gone completely soft.

  Turn
ing into the Baby Gap, Nicola watched the normal reaction of women, when the Agosto men entered a room. They turned and looked first at Daddy, who normally would have used the opportunity to get phone numbers but now was just trying to stay awake. And then they looked at the twins, fair enough to be his but dark enough to be Ivy’s. Their faces had changed dramatically over the last weeks. Their eyes were bright and wide. Their features so striking that they amazed even Nicola. They took on Nicola’s masculinity and Ivy’s beauty. The combination left most people awestruck. Then the women would croon over all three, normally wanting to pick one or both of his boys up. But he would always deny them the chance to touch and kiss. Ivy had warned him that she didn’t like that. Ivy…he laughed at the thought of her. She was so protective over their boys. She was so proud of them. So in love.

  Nicola stopped for a moment in the infant section, scanning the clothes for things that looked more like him. He had to admit his dressed them like he dressed…no funny animals or animations. He liked them to look pressed and polished, but their mother loved Winnie the Pooh. Ugh! Confidently, he picked out an assortment of jeans, coats, jackets, sweaters and hats. When he’d filled both arms, he made his way to the counter. Barely looking up from the sleeping boys, keeping his watchful eye on them at all times, he waited on the total.

  “Are they yours?” A voice asked beside him.

  “Yeah,” Nicola said turning to be startled by a stunning redhead in a navy blue business suit.

  “They are gorgeous,” she said kneeling down to take a closer look at the sleeping pair. “What are their names?” She looked back up at him with brilliant blue eyes. Refreshingly, she reminded him of his mother.